Glasgow – Dishoom – It Is What It Is

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Hector

Our Cafés – is posted above the list of eleven branches of Dishoom, around the UK, on their decidedly impressive website. One day, someone might offer their services such that Curry-Heute can be displayed in a more contemporary style. Dishoom, a chain therefore, not something I rush towards, and after today’s visit to Dishoom (6 – 11 Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow G2 1QY), it is evident that the company have a markedly different interpretation of what makes a – Curry Café. Open daily from 08.00, this could be Hector’s dream venue. Alas, I do not see – Desi Nashta – on the menu here. Dishoom is not comparable to Hector’s favoured Southside Curry Cafes. Located in the very heart of the City of Glasgow, Dishoom is very much a – Pukkah Restaurant.

Dishoom is housed on the ground floor of what was once The Glasgow Stock Exchange building. Entering at 14.00, I was surprised to see the size of the place. A bar with seating on the left, a dining area to the right, then two further dining areas to the rear. The young chap who greeted at the doorway gave me a choice of tables and commented on the fact that he was able to do so:

Not used to it being so quiet.

This is quiet? You’re doing very well.

Thank you.

By the time I departed, the place was nearly empty, else the interior photos could not have been secured.

I accepted a table between a mature couple, who were almost finished their meal, and two ladies who had. The chap was having what looked like a Dosa, but I don’t see that on the menu. His lady had some Vegetable snacky thing which was of no interest to this commentator. I managed to sneak an early photo across their bows. On my left, the two ladies, whose conversation I had to hear regardless of their intention. Such was the close proximity of the tables, I was made aware of the 12.5% service charge. The menu states that this – entirely optional – and can be waved if you tell the management why you feel the service was not up to scratch. Inviting a challenge, in Glasgow, bring it on!

The mandatory screaming wean was well away to my right in the rear room. Pity the rest.

Bombay comfort food, street food – call it what you like, the Hector was here for Curry, and the choice was actually minimal. One of two Dishes available only in the Glasgow branch – Lamb Chettinad & Malabar Paratha (£19.50 / £25.90) and another featuring Haggis. Truly. The Tamil-Nadu Chettinad and Parotta is the only reason the Hector was here, so much for – Bombay fayre. Despite the online version showing two, the waitress advised that the – half portion – only comes with one Malabar Paratha. As this glorious creation is not featured in the – Bread – section of the menu, no chances were being taken, one could be eked out. I was assured the half portion of Chettinad would be sufficient.

With no small bottles of Sparkling Water on offer, Tap Water sufficed. My goblet was filled with pleasantly chilled water from a jug. The jug was duly withdrawn.

Given the number of people in the restaurant, the wait was appropriate. Some seemed to linger after their meal. With the second side of the A3 menu devoted to – Drinks – plenty to choose from. Do people use Dishoom as a bar?

Lamb Chettinad & Malabar Paratha

The metal tray, the Banana Leaf, no plate. One is used to eating directly from a handi/karahi. The karahi was at the minuscule end of the scale. Is that it? – was an inevitable thought, and how much bigger would the – full portion – have been?

The whole, Dry Red Chilli on top was a welcome sight. This usually means business. Curry Leaves, a threat of Coriander and but a single Ginger Strip enhanced the garnish.

I counted six decent-sized pieces of Meat in the Soupy Masala. Two more tiddlers were subsequently encountered.

Malabar Parotta, not to be missed, and usually charged at an outrageous rate, beware. The standard size for this King of Breads, today’s was decidedly crumpled, brown, not the – white – one might expect. The softness, layering, all present, a delight for Dipping. Malleable, not crispy, yet crispy enough. This would be fun, and with careful management, I did retain the final piece to wipe the karahi.

Chettinad, another new source of South Indian cuisine which has appeared in the city centre in the last few years. When dining in a chain restaurant, there is always the question – where is the food actually cooked? Given this Chettinad is reportedly unique to Glasgow, then logically it had to be prepared in house. The Dishoom website claims all food is freshly prepared on the premises. So no shrink-wrapped re-heats here then. Does that then mean the in-house Chefs are robots, following a script written elsewhere? Does it matter?

The first dip instantly revealed the hoped for – big smokey hit. Authentic Chettinad, but as always, and especially having just returned from München and the highly recommended Dessi Tadka, why does Chettinad as served in the UK, have to be so – Soupy? Maybe I have just come to prefer Sukka? As I ate I more, I began to appreciate that this Masala did have a worthy viscosity, the aforementioned pulped – Tiddlers – helping here.

The Spice built steadily, the Seasoning pleased, the taste of South Indian Curry was well represented here. Tender Meat but with a dry interior. The Lamb had not been given time to absorb the Spices. The Southside, this was not.

Satisfying, more Curry would have been better, but then it’s facing up to city centre prices. Does Glasgow need a Covent Garden chain? Given the number of people here when I entered, apparently so. Elsewhere on the menu, Charred Lamb Chops (£19.90) may well be in the style sought after, but for two Chops? If I want to visit a chain in Glasgow, I’ll stick with Akbar’s.

The Bill